virtualization of design and production a thesis - Bilkent University

coextensitivity: it is genetic miniaturization that is the
dimension of simulation. The real is produced from
miniaturized cells, matrices, and memory banks, models of
control and it can be reproduced an indefinite number of times
from these. It no longer needs to be rational, because it no
longer measures itself against either an ideal or negative
instance. It is no longer anything but operational. In fact, it is
no longer really the real because no imaginary envelops it
anymore. It is hyperreal produced from a radiating synthesis of
combinatory models in a hyperspace without atmosphere”
(Baudrillard 2).
For Baudrillard, imitation is completely different than simulation. It is apparent
from the quotation that he makes from Littré as follows:
“Whoever fakes an illness can simply stay in bed and make
everyone believe he is ill. Whoever simulates an illness
produces in himself some symptoms” (Littré qtd .in
Baudrillard, 3).
The former still has connections with the reality since the illness can be
objectively understood by medical and scientific studies. At least a clear
examination might be executed to reveal the trueness of the illness. However, if
the person is claiming to be ill of some sort, then he makes the scientific rules
invalid for an objective explanation. It would be hard to tell if the person is really
ill or imitating to be ill that makes the situation exactly paradoxical; the patient is
both ill and not at the same time. If a symptom can be produced, writes
Baudrillard, then symptoms can no longer be seen as the facts of nature and
medicine loses its meaning.
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